Improvement in graves or tombs



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. H. THOR?. Grave or Tomb.

No. 213,790. Patented April 1, 1879.

M., M W

N. PETERS. PHOTO 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,.

J. H. THOR?. Grave or Tomb;

No. 213,790. Patented April 1, 1879.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.

JAMES H. THOR-P, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN GRAVES OR TOMBS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,790, dated April 1, 1879; application filed February 3, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it -known that I, JAMES H. THORP, of the city, county, and State of New York,l1ave invented certain Improvements in Graves or Tombs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, in which Figure l is a perspective view of a grave or tomb constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the same on the line a: x of Fig. 2 5 Figs. 4, 5, and 6, details.

My present invention relates to an improvement in graves or tombs, composed of blocks and slabs of artificial stone, or other suitable material, which can be used as a lining for an underground grave, or as a tomb or coffinreceptacle to be placed above the surface of the ground; and consists in a receptacle formed of blocks and slabs connected together by means of longitudinal tongues and grooves and vertical dovetailedtongues and grooves, whereby the several parts are firmly and strongly united, cement being used at the joints to render the receptacle air and water tight; and my invention also consists in certain details of construction, tobehereinafter more fully described.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried it out.

In the said drawings, A represents a receptacle, of a size and form adapted to receive a coffin. This receptacle, which may be made of articial stone or other suitable material, is composed of a base, b, formed of slabs or pieces jointed together, or of a single piece, as preferred, sides formed of blocks c, connected together in a manner to be presently described, and a cover, d, formed of a single slab, which closes the top of the receptacle. 'Ihe blocks c, forming the lower layer, are each provided on the under side with a central longitudinal tongue or tenon, 9, which ts into a groove, l0, extending entirely around the base b, near its edge. From the upper sides of the blocks of the lower layer project similar tongues 12, which t into corresponding grooves 13, in the under surfaces of the blocks composing the next layer above, these latter blocks being provided at the top with a rabbet, 14, extending entirely around the inner upper edge of the receptacle, into which ts the corresponding edge of a projecting portion, 15, on the under side of the slab or cover d, by which the latter is held rmly in place, additional security being afforded by dowel-pins e, which enter holes in the blocks c of the upper layer, as seen in Fig. 2. The blocks c are held iirmly together at their ends by vertical dovetail tongues f, tting into correspondingly-shaped vertical grooves g, the tongue of one block entering the groove of the adjacent one, as seen in Fig. 3; and at the head and foot of the receptacle each layer of blocks c is provided with a key-stone, h, having vertical dovetailed tongues 16, which enter corresponding grooves in the ends of the adjacent blocks c on each side, and serve to bind the whole rrnly together.

The number of layers of blocks c will vary according to their size or the height of the receptacle, and cement is used at all of the joints, in order to render the grave entirely impervious to air or water.

The above-described receptacle A. can be employed as a lining for an ordinary underA ground grave, or it can be used as a vault or tomb above the surface of the ground, and consequently it is well adapted for use in secd tions of the country where, from the wet nature of the soil, it is not customary or desira ble to inter the dead in graves formed beneath `the surface of the ground.

By-employing key-stones h of different sizes, the receptacle A, when used as a lining for graves, may be readily made wide or narrow, as desired, to it the grave for which it is intended, no change being required in the blocks c, so that when artificial stone is the material employed but one set of molds are required for blocks c adapted to t a grave of any size, whereas if these key-stones were not employed a separate set of molds would be required for making blocks for each different size of grave or receptacle.

From the top of the cover d rise four ornamental pillars, B, which support a horizontal slab, C, upon the upper surface of which is placed the inscription, as seen in Fig. 1, this slab U serving as a substitute for a monument, thus saving expense, and forming an exceedingly ornamental addition to the receptacle A.

D is a small receptacle, which rests on the top of the cover d directly beneath the slab C, where it is secured by dowel-pins t entering holes k. This receptacle is intended to contain iioral offerings, which are thus exposed in a conspicuous position, and are also partially protected by the slab U above.

1f it should be desired to dispense with the slab C and pillars B, the receptacle I) can be replaced by a tablet bearing the inscription, and provided ou its under side with dowelpins adapted to enter the holes k.

What I claim as lnyinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A grave, tomb, or comu-receptacle, A, composed of blocks c of artificial stone or other suitable material, united by longitudinal tongues and grooves 9, 10, 12, 13 and vertical dovetailed tongues and grooves f g, in combination with a base or bottom, b, and a slab or cover, d, connected with the blocks c by dowel-pins e, or their equivalents, substantially as described.

2. In a grave or coffin-receptacle, the combination, with the blocks c, united by tongues and grooves, as described, of the key-stones h, placed at thehead and foot of the receptacle, and connected with the adjacent blocks c by means of vertical dovetailed tongues and grooves, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Witness my hand this 23d day of January,

JAMES H. THORP. In presence of- W. U. BAKER, Jr., S. W. RUGG. 

